New Delhi: Afghanistan skipper Rashid Khan wasn’t a happy man as his side posted a below-par 115/5 in 20 overs against Bangladesh in a crunch knockout clash of the T20 World Cup 2024. The toll of a low score clearly took on the star all-rounder and it was clear through his actions during the first innings of the game as Afghanistan opted to bat first at the Arnos Vale Ground in St. Vincent on Monday.
The Rashid Khan-led side wasn’t at their best while posting the target as Rahmanullah Gurbaz scored a sluggish 43 off 55 followed by low scores from the other batters. Even the middle order failed to capitalise and it all increased the pressure on the Afghan skipper who came down at number 7 and wanted to utilise the opportunity to its full extent.
He looked to have gained the momentum very quickly, having hit a six and wanted to make the most of the final over, keeping the strike with himself. However, in the final over, the crowd got to witness some other form of Rashid. On the third delivery bowled by Tanzim Hasan Sakib, Rashid ran for a single and saw the chance of completing a double, and took off for it. His partner Karim Janat however refused him a double, considering the risk and this brought a livid Rashid on the pitch.
Just when Rashid was denied a double, he threw his bat right away at his teammate in anger and quickly ran back at the non-striker’s end from half of the pitch. His desperation to get more runs for the team was quite clear as he wanted to keep the strike. After the ball, Janat picked his bat up and went ahead to pass it to him, wanting to have a chat as well but Rashid wasn’t interested at all.
The 25-year-old finished the innings with a monstrous 98m six and had already hit two before to give his team a late flourish.
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Bangladesh to chase in 12.1 overs for a semi berth
As things stand, Bangladesh are still in contention for the last semi-final spot and can well make it to the next stage by chasing down the below-par score under 12.1 overs. It is indeed a chaseable target, courtesy of the Bangladesh bowlers who didn’t leak too many runs in the first place. It is a tricky pitch at the venue and the Afghan bowlers might get the same help.
Vying for the last semifinal berth against group-mates Bangladesh and Australia, Afghanistan need to win the Bangladesh game at any cost to cruise to the semi-finals. Even a no result would suffice for them and something similar has been unfolding at the venue. As soon as Afghanistan finished their innings, rain made its way to the ground to pour down heavily. Afghanistan would pray for it to continue while Bangladesh would seek the contrary.
Karim Janat faced the wrath of his skipper Rashid Khan after denying him a second run during the final over of Afghanistan’s innings against Bangladesh in the Super 8 clash of the T20 World Cup 2024 in St. Vincent on Monday. Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
